Hi, I'm reading a book on cell biology and it keeps using the term 'in situ'. Could I ask, does this always mean 'in the cell itself', or can it also mean 'in an environment that isn't the cell itself but is similiar?'
I'd really appreciate any clarification! Thanks!

Punita wrote:Hi, I'm reading a book on cell biology and it keeps using the term 'in situ'. Could I ask, does this always mean 'in the cell itself', or can it also mean 'in an environment that isn't the cell itself but is similiar?' I'd really appreciate any clarification! Thanks!

it depends in what context...

for example, "carcinoma in situ" means a carcinoma (maglignant epithelial cell cancer) that has not spread to surrounding tissues...

Thanks everyone, that was really helpful. I think from what I've been reading, Kotoreru's reply seems to fit the context I'm readng in. The book's talking about understanding proteins 'in situ' - so I guess that means in the cell itself? If the proteins had been isolated, they would write 'ex situ' - is that right Kotoreru? Thanks again for your help!

Thanks so much for your help Kotoreru! Yeah, I've never come across the term being used with proteins very much either. It may be the context I was reading: it was a book about magnetic resonance force microscopy, which is still pretty new. Thanks a lot for your help Kotoreru, it was much appreciated!

insitu condition is an intermediate conditon between invivo and invitro . invivo means that which takes place inside of an organism,where as invitro means in test tube conditions.I said it as intermediate because total examination will be done exactly in the place where it occurs.

'in-situ' or natural environment. plant takes the nutrient from its original habitat.
'ex-situ' when it taken out from its original habitat to other places (habitat). this habitat can be favourable or not.